Trieste, from designer Matthew Ma, is a boxed card game where three players take on the roles of Thief, Merchant, or City Watch respectively. Each role has its own unique deck and victory conditions. Turns are played out simultaneously, with each player selecting an action without knowing those chosen by opponents.

The City Watch player levies taxes on the Merchant, and patrols the streets for the Thief, looking to fill the city's jail with ne'er-do-wells. Players in the role of the Merchant are out to cut deals and line their coffers, in a quest for untold riches. As the Thief, that player is attempting to pilfer coins from the Merchant, while earning infamy and the respect of the secretive Foxtail Gang.

The coastal city of Trieste is a flurry of trade and activity, but where there's power, there are always those who will compete to grab as much of it as they can. Conflict erupts in the streets, shops, and back alleys. Only one can truly rule Trieste. Will it be you?

Reviews

Triplayereste by Space-Biff!

When it all comes together, Trieste provides quite a bit of bang for such a small game. Three factions constantly working at cross-purposes, eyeing each other’s reactions as they draw new cards, counting how many times they dip into the treasure deck, calculating the odds that they might be holding another of that particularly mean card in their hands ...

Trieste by Tony Mastrangeli (Board Game Quest)

So originally I asked the question “Does Trieste succeed at creating a three-player game with conflict that works?” and the answer is a resounding yes! The three-player dynamic is fantastically balanced and ... the game is cheap enough that it can easily hang out on my shelf until I have the appropriate player count. And Trieste is absolutely staying in my gaming collection.

Rule the City, Win the Game by RJ Cullen (Toys Bulletin)

This is a standout game. There are elements introduced in this game that we have never seen before and they all work perfectly. ...We do not recall playing any other game with totally different victory requirements, and a completely unique set of assigned playing cards for each player. Best of all, a typical game of Trieste is generally completed in a short 20-25 minutes. You can easily play 3-4 games in an evening, and the more you play, the more it all begins to fit together. Trieste will certainly find a special spot on the Toys Bulletin game bookshelf.